R-Rated Religion is often bewildered as to what society conjures up as cogent means of making a living these days. Of all the preposterous job positions and career choices, the secular title of “life coach” has got to be at the top of the WTF pile. In essence, what it takes for someone to realize that a life coach is needed is: for one adult to admit that they need help being an adult by paying another adult to coach them into being a better adult. This is laughable. Bye-the-way, this position has already existed for centuries, they are called clergy. Besides, counselors and psychiatrists already do the same thing but with something very important that most life-coaches do without; a proper education in a field of study.
Eliciting someone to tell you when to get out of bed, how to stand up to your boss, what to wear, what to read, who to befriend, how to live, etc. are all signs of the unregenerated and are red flares that a renovation of the heart is wanting. These people require Jesus Christ and we should be sharing the message of the Gospel, not rearranging their sock drawer.
We acknowledge the need for maturing and growing in life, this is a wonderful process. In all situations, it behooves the individual to educate themselves with books, college, seminars, educational series, bible study, etc. We encourage this on every level. However, to enlist a random “life-coach” to help you be a better person is a hoodwink. In real life, they are called spiritual mentors, and they are free.
To the Christian, this process of growing or maturing in Christlikeness is known as sanctification, and this is required for all who posses a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. But you do not need a life-coach to do so. The only life coach anyone ever really needs is God and His method of sanctification is:
R-Rated Religion does endorse spiritual mentors for spiritual questioning. The process of growing in Christlikeness is a long one and having someone who already spent time in difficult situations and learned how the Bible will lead you out of those situations is incalculable. Mentorships are wonderful relationships that are symbiotic in nature. Life coaching relationships are purely parasitic in essence and value.
Moreover, as we have written about and continue to do so, Christian biblical counseling and other forms of pastoral counseling is a valuable tool for sanctification and maturity. Use these methods to better yourself and enrich your walk in faith. The modern Church needs to break free from the religious stigma associated with therapy and counseling. Turning to life-coaching is not the answer.
It should be acknowledged that most people who seek life-coaching do so with an earnest heart while recognizing certain weaknesses in their lives. Secular society teaches us that this must mean something is wrong with you. Nay nay, the word of God tells us a different story. For the believer, we realize that God’s grace is sufficient in our times of weakness; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV). To Christians, we know that our sin and weaknesses will never be fully overcome in this life and the power of the Holy Spirit will coach us through these times.
Finally, in all honesty, the only life coach necessary in this lifetime is the word of God, given to us through the scriptures. They have the power and wisdom to coach us through any situation, transform any dark person into the light, and heal all the guilt and emptiness in life.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV
Do not be naïve about what you believe!
Meaningful Masculinity 